Toyota HiLux i-FORCE MAX hybrid firms

Toyota USA has confirmed its upcoming new Toyota Tacoma will be available from launch with an i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain and its sister model, Australia’s next-generation 2025 Toyota HiLux, could follow suit.

Details are thin on the ground at this stage but, judging by the dynamic teaser image released alongside the announcement overnight, the electrified drivetrain will at least power the flagship version of the new Tacoma, given the TRD Pro variant pictured proudly wears an ‘i-FORCE MAX’ badge on its chunky tailgate.

Positioned below the full-size Tundra pick-up, which is odds-on for Australian release in 2024, the Tacoma is Toyota’s mid-size pick-up staple in the North American market, but has always been slightly larger than the HiLux sold in pretty much every other global market.

But with the next Tacoma and HiLux set to be based on the same new TNGA-F ladder-frame platform, both new-generation utes are expected to share a significant amount of hardware and technology.

That goes for their designs too, as an increasing number of mid-size utes muscle-up in an attempt to look more like their full-size US pick-up stablemates – ie: Ford Ranger v F-150 and Nissan Navara v Titan.

The new Tacoma has been teased on several occasions, but a new series of leaked images posted to the Tacoma4g forum has given us yet another preview.

And it seems the new Tacoma has been hitting the gym, as evidenced by its bolder proportions, chunkier surfacing and tougher lighting signatures.

We don’t know yet if the model’s hybrid system will be based around a V6 or four-cylinder combustion engine, but the outgoing Tacoma was available with V6 power and the i-FORCE MAX name debuted on the new Tundra’s twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 petrol-electric powertrain, which outputs a class-leading 325kW/790Nm.

It’s doubtful the new Tacoma TRD Pro will pack that much of a punch, but the removal of a turbocharger or more subdued engine mapping would be the most logical ways to lower the outputs to protect the Tundra without giving anything away to its rival.

But the more likely option is the new 2.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder hybrid powertrain from the upcoming Toyota Crown and the new Lexus RX, which delivers up to 273kW/550Nm in RX 500h F Sport Performance guise.

Those outputs are much more in line with other US mid-size utes like the new Chevrolet Colorado (up to 231kW/583Nm), Nissan Frontier (231kW/381Nm) and the yet-to-launch Ford Ranger (up to 184kW/600Nm).

More importantly, this particular powertrain is already offered Down Under and would position the 2025 Toyota HiLux strongly against the inbound Volkswagen Amarok and its optional 222kW/454Nm 2.3-litre turbo-petrol four-banger.

What’s more, Toyota applied to have the i-FORCE MAX nameplate trademarked Down Under in February last year – six months before it announced a local conversion and development program for the new Tundra, which is expected to be available exclusively with hybrid power here.

Toyota has promised a hybrid version of every mainstream model in its range by 2030 and while diesel-electric power remains a possibility, Toyota Australia’s new HiLux is expected to once again launch with an all-diesel 4x4 line-up, followed by hybrid and then flagship GR versions.

Before then, the existing HiLux range will be topped by the new GR Sport flagship, later this year.

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